Pope John Paul II Praises Jordan's Efforts for Peace

Pope John Paul II praised Jordan on Monday for its efforts to safeguard peace in the region after touching down at the international airport of Amman for the first papal visit to the kingdom in 36 years.

The pope was greeted by King Abdullah Bin Hussein, Crown Prince Hamzah Bin Hussein and other royal family members at the airport 40 kilometers south of the capital.

In a welcoming speech, King Abdullah expressed his hope that the landmark visit by the pope since 1964 would further promote friendly coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the desert kingdom.

Paul II, in his reply speech, praised Jordan and King Abdullah's efforts to realize peace, and to strengthen stability and security in the Middle East, without which he said would be no authentic development in the region, no better life for its people and no better future for its children.

The kingdom has been an active peace broker between Israel and its Arab neighbors after a peace treaty was signed between Jordan and the Jewish state in 1994.

Jordan is the first leg of a week-long tour by the pope to the Middle East, which will also take him to Israel and Palestinian territories in the West Bank.

Before arriving in Amman, the pontiff had said that his tour would be purely religious in nature, but the visit was taken by parties concerned as an impetus to the peace process in the region. During his two-day visit to Jordan, Paul II will visit holy sites, meet religious leaders and chair religious ceremonies in the kingdom.

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